Nick Saban has Alabama in a familiar position. The Crimson Tide are 60 minutes from another national championship. Alabama has claimed four under Saban’s watch and are the only team to make the CFB Playoff in all four seasons since 2014. The Crimson Tide are aiming for their second title in three years after falling to Clemson in a 35-31 thriller in Tampa last season.

PASADENA, Calif. — The seeds of every season, every touchdown, every inch taken and given on the football field are laid in the offseason that comes before. It is the case no matter the level of football and the case if a team goes undefeated or winless.

For the third consecutive season, Clemson and Alabama are set to meet in the College Football Playoff. But the stage is slightly different this time around, as the Tigers and Crimson Tide are meeting in the Sugar Bowl for a trip to Atlanta and a chance to play for the national title.

The offseason runs. The blood, sweat and tears. The acrobatic touchdowns and incredible interceptions. It was all leading up to this – the College Football Playoff. As great as some of the matchups are in both the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl semifinals though, they might not hold a candle to the games within a game — between players on either side of the ball.